A pair of $34,722 top class races were featured at Plainridge Park on Thursday, April 17 and strong efforts were turned in by their respective winners.
First in the Open Trot, Herodotus got a perfect trip and struck late to win at the wire.
By The Book (Jay Randall) took the early lead and strung out Herodotus (Brett Beckwith) and Keg Stand (Mitchell Cushing) to the quarter, who both eventually cleared in front of the stands. There, Keg Stand took the lead while Herodotus pocketed-up for the journey. After reaching the half in :56.2, Remember Titans (Aaron Byron) pulled first-over to challenge Keg Stand to three-quarters and all around the last turn.
But as they approached the top of the stretch, Remember Titan’s bid failed and cleared the way for Herodotus to leave the pegs and go on the attack in the lane. As they made their way home, Herodotus got in gear and pulled away from Keg Stand and held off Sea Can (Nick Graffam) by three-quarters of a length to win in 1:55.
Herodotus ($3.60) is owned by Pollock Racing and trained by Jeff Culipher.
Then later in the Open Pace for fillies and mares, Plainridge Park’s 2024 Horse of the Year, Swedish Starlet N, picked up right where she left off after winning the weekly distaff feature.
Swedish Starlet N (pictured above with Matty Athearn) pocketed-up behind Seaside Tina (Kevin Switzer Jr.) heading into the first turn while Taking The Miki A (Brett Beckwith) was rolling up the rim in the breeze on her way to taking the lead after a sizzling :26.1 first quarter. Taking The Miki A finally crossed-over at three-eighths and then led the field to the half in a swift :54.1.
Positions remained unchanged until halfway up the backside, where Athearn tipped Swedish Starlet N who quickly drew alongside Taking The Miki A as the race proceeded into the final turn. The mares matched strides around that bend and all the way down the lane before Swedish Starlet N took the lead from Taking The Miki A while also holding off the late-closing Seaside Tina to win by half a length in 1:53.1.
Swedish Starlet N ($10.60) is owned by Tim Bojarski and Tony Gruppo and trained by Jimmy Nickerson.
Five horsemen scored two wins apiece on Thursday, including drivers Matty Athearn, Brett Beckwith, Nick Graffam and Jay Randall and trainer Rob Harmon.
Racing resumes at Plainridge Park on Monday, April 21 at 4 p.m. and there will be a $2,381 carryover in the 20-cent Wicked Hi-5 Pentafecta in the sixth race.
Free full past performance programs and race replays for all live racing days at Plainridge Park can be found at plainridgeparkcasino.com.
(Standardbred Owners of Massachusetts)